Yesterday, Antoine used the Send All function on the phone to send this message to all voicemail numbers in the Hotel:
"This is Antoine Laconte, your host tomorrow night at the Midnight Nude Pool Party! See you by the pool for dancing, swimming, and entertaining conversation at midnight sharp. Remember, no clothing allowed beyond the entrance."
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"If I may ask, from where do you come?" Voronwé inquired curiously, still wondering about the dark tone of the man's skin.
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"I come from Israel... on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a land of much religious history...and much conflict. I escaped it when I was young and... I was on my way back... when I came to this hotel."
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"The conflicts in your homeland have ceased then? Israel ... is that an Eastern land? We do not have dark skinned humans in my part of Middle-earth. But the Easterlings are said to have skin as yours." He almost reached out to touch, but schooled himself.
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"Here in the West, yes, Israel is in what's called the Middle East. South of there the skin grows darker and darker. As dark as your hair."
Antoine realized that he must be as alien to Voronwe as the Gondolin man was to him.
"In the Far East, their skin has a yellowish tinge. Not olive like mine, or fair, like yours. And their eyes are different."
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"It is as in my world then. The wild men of the uttermost Southern Harad are said to be completely black. And if you travel far enough East, the eyes will be different as well." How strange, that their worlds should be so similar.
"We Elves are always of fair skin, even if our hair colour differs. Most common is black, brown or flaxen. A few have had red hair, but that is very rare. I am of the Noldorin, and our hair is black. Curls as yours are very rare as well."
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"I am very plain looking where I come from."
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He looked curiously at Antoine, wondering why the man would think himself plain. "In my opinion, you are not plain. But I do not know many humans. There are only very few in Gondolin."
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His smile widened at the compliment. "Where I come from, everyone has this hair, and eyes and features. But it is a rarity here in the West, and much appreciated. And... profitable." He let himself chuckle wondering if Voronwe had any clue about the oldest profession. He thought that if he explained the poor man might become even more confused about things.
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Antoine watched understanding flit through Voronwe's eyes. It was similar to the realization that dawned when Antoine propositioned a person and they realized they'd have to pay for the evening to continue. Here in the Hotel, all needs were met and there was very little in the way of unique goods for barter, so Antoine stopped charging. He'd always been selective.
"Not very common," Antoine said slowly. "Most major cities have a district. I'm a free lancer though." He smiled warmly. "This situation here in the Hotel ... well, we make our rules as we go along."
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"And what are the rules in the Hotel?" He wondered if he had broken any. He had not been informed of any house rules, even if it was common both in houses with many visitors and in Inn's, as this seemed to be, to have such.
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He took a sip of champagne. "What rules would you like? You make your own rules. I made the rule that everyone must be nude at this party." He smirked.
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"Please forgive me." He said, inclinging his head slightly "I did not wish to disregard your rules. I will retire from your company for the night then. Perhaps, if you are so inclined, we could dine together tomorrow and we can continue this conversation?"
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He felt a bit as though he'd stepped on a kitten. Voronwe couldn't be that innocent. Could he? And Antoine was hoping he'd decide to stay and reveal more of that pale smooth skin.
Ah well.
"Meet you in the banquet hall at 7 then?" Antoine said with a cordial smile.
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"Yes." He nodded lightly "I am looking forward to speak with you again, Antoine. I wish you continued enjoyment of the evening and bid you good night." Still smiling, Voronwé bowed lightly with a hand over his heart.
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